Jennifer walked alongside Jonathan's wheelchair as he was wheeled to Jessalynn's room, holding his hand the whole way.
"Hi Misty. This is my husband, Jonathan. Thank you so much for watching Jessalynn".
"No problem. She's such a sweet girl. Well, I'll be back tomorrow if you need another break".
"Thank you".
Misty left, just as Susan was coming in.
"Well, hello".
"Hi Susan".
"Welcome back".
"Thank you".
"Susan, can we get another bed for Jonathan?"
"How about a double bed?"
"That'd be great".
"Well, I will leave you two to your happy family reunion. I'll be back in to check on Jessalynn before I leave in a few hours".
"Thank you".
Once they were alone, Jennifer pulled the recliner across the room and sat next to Jonathan's bed.
"Where have you been?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you".
"I promise you, it's better than what I've been imagining".
"We went on the fishing trip. And then you and I talked on the phone, and I couldn't hear anything you were saying. It all sounded like a loud siren, almost. Then we lost signal, so I told Jack we had to fly back, and we packed up and headed out. And as soon as we got on the plane, just before we took off, we realized we had some visitors. They forced us at gunpoint to fly to what I now know was northern Idaho, and they held us in a room in a cabin-like place. Long story short, Tucker Collins has an identical twin brother. He and the twin, whose name is Grant, were put up for adoption at birth, and separated. Grant's adoption fell through, and he ended up in the orphanage at the same time I was there. He almost got adopted through the orphanage twice, but it fell through each time. So, then he joins the Navy, and he wanted to be in the crew with me and Bill and a couple of other guys. Except, he and Bill didn't like each other at all. Not even a little bit".
"Where is this going?"
"Hang on. So, he leaves the Navy, and we didn't keep in touch. He found his birth family after his discharge from the Navy and moved to the East Coast. There's no easy way to say this. His biological twin brother is Tucker Collins."
"You already said that".
"So, they had a plan. The plan was they were going to extort money from me and then go to Mexico. I got the feeling his long-term plan was that I was to keep paying him off, or he would send Tucker after you. But we never got that far. He admitted that Tucker and he switched places, and that he was really Tucker. So, I talked them into flying here so that I could see you and Jessalynn, and get the money. I figured that could buy me some time, somehow. But then, Jack came up with the idea to crash in a field and get the cops involved and I agreed to that. So, we were supposed to make a belly landing".
"What's a belly landing?"
"Think back to when you and I were dating, and I took you flying on our 4th date, and the landing gear wouldn't come down".
"Jonathan-you know I don't like reliving that".
"I know, but that's what it is. Anyways, we were going to do one of those, and I was going to knock Tucker out. There was just one problem".
"What do you mean?"
"I got Tucker knocked out. He was calling himself Ace for some reason. Anyways, his partner, a guy named Buck, was up in the cockpit with Jack. And when we went down, he grabbed the wheel and instead of us going down at a steep angle, he made us go straight down on a dive, so instead of us crashing into a field, we crashed into trees. Buck didn't survive".
"And Tucker?"
"I have no idea. He wasn't in the wreckage part that I was in or Jack was in. My shoulder was too hurt to lift the other pieces, and Jack was in no shape to help me".
"I see".
"So, tell me about Jessalynn."
"Rachel and I were at home with the babies. And Jessalynn woke up in the night, and she was so hot, and so, so, sweaty. Her cheeks were crimson, almost. So, I undressed her, and she started screaming, and shaking like. So we put some thinner pj's on her, and I ended up calling the doctor's night line, and they said to bring her in. So, I bundled her up, and packed a bag, and we came. Susan was paged, and she tested her for the flu, which came back positive. So, Rachel stayed with Jagger, and Jessalynn and I moved in here, and then the next day, she tested positive for RSV, and then I texted you, and then we talked on the phone, and I was so upset that you said you couldn't come home. So, that's when I said you were selfish, and I swear, I didn't mean that. I was just so frustrated. But then you sent me that text, so I got upset and called Pa, and he and Aunt Marnie flew out".
"What text?"
She got her phone and pulled it up and handed it to him.
"Baby, I didn't send this. Ace took my phone, and he sent this and then destroyed the phone".
"You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that. And I'm so incredibly sorry I called you selfish".
He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers.
"So, what did your dad say?"
"He flew out here with Aunt Marnie, and he got his PI to look for you. And then they had to put her on a breathing tube and that just broke my heart. She's been sleeping like 14 hours a day because of the medicines, which also killed me. We finally had a good day yesterday, and she got the breathing tube out, and then today, we got to go outside and Rachel brought Jagger up and we all sat in the courtyard. But aside from that, it's been two steps forward, three steps back each time. And not being able to hold her has really bothered me. I know she needs the rest, but I think she needs love too".
"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this alone, darling."
"Promise me that it's not me doing this, it's us doing it. I can raise the kids by myself if I have to, but this about broke me".
"I never intended to do anything other than go fishing and then come back home, I swear it. And once the guys got to us, my intentions were always about getting back here to you and the kids".
"I can't tell you how much I missed you and how worried I was, about a lot of things".
They shared a few sweet kisses and then Jessalynn started to cry.
Jennifer leaned over and picked her up and brought her into the bed with them.
"Hi princess. Look who's here. Daddy's here, yes he is".
She was smiling at Jonathan and he reached out and grabbed her hand.
"I think we just needed Daddy to come home for us to start feeling better".
"Do we have any idea what caused this?"
"Not really. I asked Susan how we could have avoided it, and she said often times, people are carriers of RSV and don't even know it. She also said that the type of flu that she had was the strain not covered by the flu shot. I think the pneumonia came from her resistance being low, and from her probably not fully recovering from that ear infection she had".
"Why does she have all these tubes?"
"Well, she wasn't eating. So, Susan gave her a feeding tube, so she wouldn't get dehydrated. And then she had the breathing tube, so when they took that out, she got the nasal cannula so that she would still get some pure oxygen. And she's been sleeping in an oxygen tent and doing pretty well on that."
"How are you? Have you been sleeping, and eating?"
"Yes, although at times, it was hard. It helped having Pa here. I should call him and tell him you are here now".
She quickly dialed his number.
"Hello Walter, it's Jennifer. Is my dad there?"
"No, Miss Jennifer. I took him to the airport a few hours ago. He should be with you in a couple hours".
"Perfect, thank you".
She hung up and turned to Jonathan.
"He should be here in a few hours".
"Great".
"So, I made a decision, and I hope you aren't upset with me. And if you are, we'll just have to work through it, because I think this is the right thing to do".
"What is it?"
"Well, for one, I want Aunt Marnie to stay a few days when Jessalynn is discharged, so that we can have a real visit. And I told Pa that I would buy her a ticket home whenever that is, and it would be first class. But I want to do more than that. I couldn't have gotten through this whole ordeal without Rachel and Aunt Marnie. So, I want to send Aunt Marnie on the dream trip of a lifetime, wherever she wants to go, to say thank you. And I haven't talked to Rachel about it, but I still want to pay for their wedding and honeymoon".
"I'm ok with all of that".
"Good. They really both deserve it".
Jessalynn got a little fussy, so Jennifer sang to her till she fell back asleep and then put her back in her crib, and then came back to the bed.
She stretched out next to him.
"Are you sure you're alright, besides the shoulder?"
"I'm fine. I'm back here, with you, and that's all that matters".
"How did Tucker and Buck find you guys?"
"I have no idea. I'm thinking he came to LA, and did some research and found that I had a plane, and maybe put a GPS on it, or something, I'm not sure. I think it's a stretch that he just so happened to be in Montana where we were, but I suppose it's possible".
"Darling, I have to tell you something else. It was like the second day we were here in the hospital or something, and Rachel called and said Stanley had called the house, and needed you to call him. So I called him and he started rambling on about price points and the data not matching and how you need to lower this and raise that in order to make quarterly projections and I finally told him I had no clue what he was talking about that you were out of town and that Jessalynn was sick and you were going to be here with me when you got back, so he just needed to handle things like he saw fit, and that you would call him when things calmed down and were ready to go back to the office".
"Great job, darling. That's what I would have told him".
He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her forehead.
"I promise you, it's all going to be ok. I realize that you have dealt with a lot. Once we all get well, I'm committed to working a 4-day week, and if I have to hire someone to do all of my traveling, I will".
Susan came in and examined Jessalynn again, and was careful not to wake her.
"Ok, so tomorrow, I think we are going to remove the feeding tube and try her on a bottle. Now that her lungs have cleared up, she should tolerate the bottle just fine."
"If she does, what else do we have to do before she can go home?"
"If she can tolerate the bottle feeds, and she doesn't spike a fever or anything, I'll release her day after tomorrow".
"That would be amazing".
"Jonathan, if you need pain meds or anything, just buzz the nurse. I'll tell them to give you whatever you need".
"Thank you, I appreciate it".
Just then, the police lieutenant came and knocked on the door.
"Hi Jonathan, Jennifer".
"Hey".
"I need to get your formal written statement and get a description of the guys from you".
"I can't write, but I can definitely tell you everything, if you want to record my statement".
"I tell you what, I'll call a transcriptionist and have them come down. Now, what are the descriptions of the people that did this to you?"
"The leader is Tucker Collins, out of New York. He has a twin brother named Grant Barlow. They traded places. He is the one that was found in my plane, away from the cockpit. And the other one is a guy he called Buck, he was the one that was found in the cockpit, who didn't make it."
"Yes, we identified Buck as 42-year-old Martin Robert Buckman. He was declared DOA on the scene. How long were you at the crash site?"
"At least overnight. I'm not sure how long I was out before that, though".
"I understand. Was there anyone else on the plane with you?"
"Jack Michaels, my pilot, was flying the plane. Buck was sitting next to him. I was in the cabin with Tucker, aka Ace. If there was anyone else on board, I never knew it".
"Lieutenant, did Tucker have any fatal injuries?"
"I wouldn't know. By the time I left the scene, they hadn't found him yet".
"What?!"
"Lieutenant, the plane isn't that big".
"My guys are carefully inspecting each piece of the plane, and will let me know what they find. They will also inspect the woods for 10 miles in all directions. If he's not there, my guess is, he woke up before the both of you, and made his escape".
"But that's impossible. He was nowhere near me when we started to go down, and I didn't move the wreckage pieces at all".
"Perhaps he did".
"This just isn't making sense".
"Lieutenant, if you contact the New York parole board, they should be able to give you updates on Tucker Collins' appearance. He was just put on a parole about a month ago".
"Thank you".
The transcriptionist got there and transcribed Jonathan's statement, and then they were left in peace again.
"Can I get you anything?"
Just then, Rachel and Jack knocked on the door.
"Who's up for a pizza?"
"Yes, please".
"Yes, please".
"Perfect."
Jennifer called and placed an order for the usual for her and Rachel, and two meat extravaganza pizzas for the guys.
She called the house to speak to Aunt Marnie.
"Hello?"
"Hi Aunt Marnie. Just want to let you know Jonathan is alright. I called Pa and Walter said he was on his way, so he should be arriving at the house anytime now".
"Correction. He's right here in your room".
Jennifer looked up and saw her dad.
"Aunt Marnie, he actually just walked in our room. How's Jagger?"
"Wonderful, sweetie. He's sleeping, right now, but he's wonderful".
"Thank you. Jonathan and I want to talk to you about something when we get home, so don't let me forget".
"I won't."
"Rachel says she'll be there tomorrow morning and you can have the whole day off".
"She's sweet. We'll work it out".
"Well, I better go. Kiss Jagger for me".
"I will, if you kiss Jessalynn for me".
"I will. Thank you so much, Aunt Marnie".
She hung up and got up and hugged her dad.
"I'm so glad you're here. You're just in time, we just ordered pizzas".
"Oh, none for me. I had dinner on the plane".
"Jessalynn and Jagger are going to be so excited you are here".
"Jonathan, I'm glad to see you".
"I'm glad to be seen".
"Pa, Jessalynn got the breathing tube out, and she's just doing wonderful. And if she keeps it up, she will get the feeding tube out tomorrow and then we can go home maybe the next day".
"Wonderful! She looks like she's gained about 3 pounds and grown a foot too".
"She has not. But I do think she is feeling much better".
Jonathan and Jack filled Stephen in on what happened to them.
"Pa, it was Tucker Collins."
"That miserable, low-life, good for nothing piece of garbage".
"I agree".
"Just to let you know, they haven't found him in the wreckage yet. I think it's only a matter of time, he can't have gotten too far".
"Well, when I get to your house tonight, I'll do a walk-around and make sure everything is ok, and then I'll call my PI and have him only investigate Tucker Collins and his brother, Grant Barlow".
"Great idea".
Jessalynn woke up and Rachel jumped up to get her.
"Hi angel. Aunt Mushy has missed you".
She and Jack were holding her and playing with her and making her giggle.
Stephen stayed about an hour and then headed to the house.
"Max should be home tomorrow Pa. He's going to be shocked by everything".
"I'll be glad to see him. It's just not a visit to your house without Max".
"He's one of a kind, that's for sure".
Their pizzas arrived, so Stephen took that opportunity to head home.
"I'll be back in the morning, sweetheart".
"Sounds good. Goodnight, Pa".
"Night, Stephen".
"Night, night".
They all sat around and ate their pizza and salads and basically stared at Jessalynn in her crib.
Jennifer finally decided to talk to Jack and Rachel about the wedding.
"So, I've been thinking. Since you two mean so much to both of us, and you have helped us so much lately with Jagger, we want you to pick the wedding and honeymoon you want. And we are going to help you pay for it".
"What? We can't accept that".
"Mushy, yes you can. You don't have family that is willing to put you first. And Jack's family isn't helping, and a long time ago, after a horrible evening, a very intelligent person once told me that friends are the family you choose. And you two deserve to have the wedding you want, because you only get one wedding day, if you do it right".
"That's so incredibly generous of you".
"We love you, bigger than the sky".
"And we love you, more than-"
"Mrs. Betty's apple pie", they said in unison.
Jack and Jonathan were looking at them like they were nuts.
"We were talking earlier, about having a weddingmoon somewhere. I also like the idea of having a beach wedding and small reception and then a honeymoon somewhere".
"So, if we had a beach wedding, who would be there?"
"On my side it would be Jennifer, Jonathan, Stacie, her boyfriend, Alexandria and her husband. If my dad and stepmom choose to come, fine. But I doubt they will".
"And on mine it would be my family, so we are looking at like 30 people tops."
"We could do a small reception for that many".
They planned it all out, and decided to do a beach wedding, somewhere near a reception site, and then a nice honeymoon.
After some initial discussion, they picked Tahiti as their honeymoon site.
Jennifer made a mental note to make the arrangements when she had a minute.
The nurse came and told Jack he had to go back to his room, so he and Rachel told them goodnight and headed back downstairs.
Jennifer went and changed into her pajamas, and then helped Jonathan change into his, and then they climbed into bed.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Not a thing".
"How's your pain?"
"I'm alright for now. But it's definitely wearing off".
"Darling, let me call the nurse and get you something. No sense being miserable".
He thought about it and nodded.
She hit the button for the nurse and then waited.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"There weren't many, but I had a couple moments where I really and truly thought I would never see you again".
"I thought you were so mad at me. And in the beginning, I was pretty mad at you too, because all I heard you say on the phone was 'I can't'. But I just knew deep down that regardless of you and me, you would never leave Jessalynn and Jagger like that".
"I would never leave you like that, either".
She leaned over and kissed him.
"I am so ready for a long night's sleep. More than just a few hours at a time".
"Darling, we can send her to the nursery tonight, if you want".
"I know, and normally I would seriously consider it. But she's sick, and she can't help it and I don't want to do that".
The nurse came and gave him some pain medicine, and then they drifted off to sleep, happy to just be close to each other again.